Jan
10
Lhasa Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under China
A trip to Lhasa
The mystique of Tibet attracts many foreign visitors to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The true home of the Dalai Lama, no matter how many Chinese army officers mill around this holiest of temples makes the Potala Palace no less breathtaking. The Chinese cultural indoctrination is sad, but visitors can go out of their way to shop and eat at Tibetan run shops and restaurants. The best way to get to Lhasa is via its airport, with direct flights from Beijing, Chengdu and Kathmandu (Nepal) available.
Flights to Lhasa
Lhasa International Airport is a small airport that services direct flights from Beijing and Chengdu (China) and Kathmandu (Nepal). If you are looking for a cheap flight to Lhasa try Thomas Cook. It is important to note that visitors require a special visa to visit Tibet and this differs from the standard visa for China. Since most visitors are on tour packages, transfers from the airport are usually pre-arranged.
Chinese tour operators don’t like to have western visitors exploring Lhasa on their own, willy-nilly. Be ready to have your tour guide tag along, with only limited exploration time on your own. Most transfers will be by jeep or minibus as there is no public transportation. The new Qinghai-Tibet railway recently opened, offering a train connection all the way to Shanghai.
Lhasa
Sightseeing in Lhasa
The main attraction in Lhasa is the Potala, the holiest temple for Tibetans. Unfortunately, the Chinese have turned this amazing temple into a tourist attraction, but it is still amazing to walk through the dark corridors. The air is filled with the scent of butter lamps and the incredibly intricate and colourful mandalas almost come to life. The view atop the Potala over Lhasa is breathtaking. Watching the numerous pilgrims is also a sight not to be missed.
Make sure you turn some of the prayer wheels, especially the giant ones inside the temples. See your prayers wind up into the sky? If you can be in Lhasa for one of the many festivals, you will gain great cultural insight. Probably one of the most amazing festivals is the Horse Racing Fair and Archery Festival, which takes place every year in June and July. At this huge event, you can see talented Tibetan riders show their skills at riding and archery.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
There isn’t much of nightlife in Lhasa. Either way, for the first few days you will probably not be in a mood or state to go out anyway. It takes at least three days to get used to the high altitude and even stair climbing or walking may leave you breathless. Take it easy the first few days, drink plenty of liquids and avoid smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages. There aren’t many nightspots, with the only places to enjoy a quiet drink being at hotel bars or restaurants.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
There is some interesting shopping to be done in Lhasa. There are the usual trinkets, mainly brought in from Nepal, but there are also plenty of beautiful local items to be had. Stroll around the main square in Lhasa and you will see many shops and bargains. Funky things like ice skates, bowler hats and other eclectic items can be found here. There are also great hand sewn tents and hand knotted carpets to be found, but you will need to haggle hard to get a good price.
Daytrips
There is no question that Lhasa’s greatest draw is the region’s wealth of Buddhist monasteries and other sacred sites. While there are several within the city itself, several more worthwhile monasteries are located within a few hours’ drive of the city.
Samye Monastery dates to the 8th century when it was adminstered by two prominent monks from India. This was the first true Buddhist monastery in Tibet and remains an important destination for pilgrims and tourists alike. Located just under 100 miles away from Lhasa, Samye Monastery can be reached by minivan or bus.
Considerably closer to the city (at 28 miles), the Ganden Monastery also makes for a nice day-long diversion. Built in the early 15th century, this is the seat of the Yellow Hat (Gelukpa) order of Tibetan Buddhism. Tour operators can also arrange treks between these two important monasteries (permit required).
Must-see attractions
Aside from the Potala Palace, Lhasa boasts two other UNESCO World Heritage sites. The first, the Jokhang Temple was built in the 600s as a sanctuary for sacred Buddhists relics from Nepal. A 1300-year-old Buddha statue is the temple’s prized possession, well-known throughout Tibet. A statue of King Songtsan Gambo is also on display here.
The Norbulingka Summer Palace is located less than a mile away from the Potala Palace, and stands as the city’s third UNESCO site. It was originally built in the mid-18th century by the Seventh Dalai Lama, but each subsequent Dalai Lama built on to the residence. Given the current Dalai Lama’s exile, this facility now operates a small zoo, tours of the mansions and botanical gardens.
Drepung Monastery is particularly opulent, and remains the wealthiest monastery in Tibet. Originally opened in the early 15th century, this religious site has trained each of the Dalai Lamas and was also the historical home of the state oracle.
Visitors to Lhasa are sure to spend time on Barkhor Street, the oldest street in Lhasa. Pilgrims bound for the Jokhang Temple travel along this street during religious festivals. At other times of the year, the Barkhor Street Market takes centre stage, dealing in traditional handicrafts and Tibetan food items.
Best time to go
Given its unusually long hours of daylight, Lhasa is sometimes referred to as the ‘sunlit city’. Temperatures are relatively mild year-round, with high temperatures hovering just under 10oC during the winter and just over 20oC between May and September. This is the best time to visit, especially if planning excursions to higher elevations, where snowfall may impede travel. These warmer months are also the rainiest, though most of the precipitation falls after dark and doesn’t have a dramatic impact on sightseeing.
Rainy day suggestions
If you do get caught during a daylight rain shower, you’ll find plenty of indoor activities to pass the time in Lhasa. Aside form touring the interior of massive historic complexes such as the Potala Palace, tourists may also wish to visit a local museum. The Tibet Museum on Minzulu road is an exceptional archive of Tibetan history with numerous artefacts on display. Audio tours are offered in a variety of languages including English.
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